February 18th, 2013

Enter by the Narrow Gate by Jay Meyer February 17, 1013

The word of God in Matthew, Chapter 7, verse 13 says:

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Jesus is saying, now that you have heard what this Kingdom looks like, you will have to make a decision. Will you choose to become part of it or will you just think that was an amazing message and go back to life as usual?

Jesus is calling people to be participants in this new way, this different Kingdom, this alternate reality. This is a call to action and he calls us to act.

February 10th, 2013

February 10, 2013 by John Cox God’s heart and the Call to the lost

Always pray, Never give up: Last week, Jay said: “You can’t expect to access the resources of the Kingdom of Heaven if you are operating in the principles of the other kingdom.” It applied as well to people who are, and will be, coming into the kingdom.

It’s this i want to think about today for just a little while – this idea of people encountering the Kingdom of God, and entering His Kingdom.

I want to contrast our rational western thinking patterns – that other Kingdom – with the way that the Kingdom of God operates – as it relates to how it is that you and i got here in Christ

Our default in this country is to rely on persuasion and knowledge (neither is bad) to bring people in – I want to contrast this with what I call persistent intercession and humble readiness...

How did I get there?

Some passages to look at: (NIV)

Isaiah 62:6-7 You who call on theLord, give yourselves no rest

John 3: 16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believesin him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Matthew 9: 36-38 “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few"

2 Corinthians 4:4 - "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

2 Corinthians 3:16-17 - "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Romans 10:9-17

1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"

John 6:39-40 "... my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day"